Dearborn Should Ban Neon, Electronic Billboards
Kudos to government officials in Grosse Pointe Woods who are cracking down on neon signs along Mack Avenue. Some business owners in that city aren’t happy but neon signs do nothing to enhance a downtown.
Cruise through Dearborn along Michigan Avenue, Telegraph or Warren and neon is everywhere. Neon lights frame grocery store windows, gas stations, party stores and the list goes on. It simply makes our downtown look cheap. Combine that with the tasteless electronic LED billboards that adorn buildings across our city and you have a tacky cityscape.
One of many distracting electronic billboards along Michigan Avenue in Dearborn.
We’ve written on these pages once before about the need for Dearborn to pass an ordinance to have those flashing electronic billboards banned but such a request has fallen on deaf ears (Denver’s City Council recently banned all LED billboards). Does the strip bar that sits at Michigan and Oakman (the first thing visitors entering Dearborn at the east end of town see) really need to advertise beer and lap dance specials? It just makes our city seem dirty. The signs also are a major driver distraction.
In Grosse Pointe Woods, neon was first prohibited in 2002 as part of an extensive revision of the city’s sign ordinance. The business owners that are now complaining had eight, yes, eight years to remove the neon to become compliant.
We have nothing against those indoor “open” neon signs that sit in windows of some businesses. But they don’t need to flash or be larger than 12 inches across. Yes, you could argue that there are bigger things to focus on in Dearborn and its current budget issues, but making our downtown look more attractive and actually having some rules in place for what is tasteful doesn’t cost anything and can go a long way to improving the aesthetics of our city.
Ditch the neon and the jumbo electronic billboards. The last thing the streets of Dearborn need are high definition versions of a carnival barker screaming at you as you drive by.
February 14th, 2011 at 6:54 am
The Henry Ford will lead the charge against this, with it’s big, gaudy LED sign, which I hate. As a side note, although LED lights are much more energy efficient than more traditional lighting beamed at billboards, LED billboards use much more energy because they are operating 24 hours a day.
February 14th, 2011 at 7:50 am
Couldn’t agree with you more – but, can Dearborn afford to tick off the remaining businesses they have left??? How do you classify the ‘sign’ in front of the Performing Arts Center?
February 14th, 2011 at 9:57 am
I completely agree. Those things are tasteless.
On the other hand, I’ve grown to like the changing billboards on I-94. Maybe because they don’t flash or have moving graphics. They’re simply advertisements.
February 14th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Only signs dearborn should be worried about is for sale, for lease and foreclosure. Do not penalize the businesses that are here and paying taxes now. Until they get a grip on those- the rest of this discussion in unnecessary. Those storefronts in the Pointes are mostly full unlike Dearborns are mostly empty
February 14th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Julie – really, The Henry Ford is your biggest complaint? I’d choose all of the strip clubs and bars before what should be considered one of Dearborn’s most prized possesions. I have’t really noticed what the signs for THF say, but I’m quite sure they don’t advertise naked girls, lap dances, and drink specials…
February 14th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
Give the business people in Dearborn a chance to attract business, Lord knows the City Fathers don’t do anything for them. Unless its deemed a traffic hazard who should really care, maybe it might even liven things up for the struggling businesses in Dearborn.
February 14th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
I’m sure that Dearborn businesses would appreciate having yet another hoop to jump through. Particularly since the city-owned Ford Center has one of the gaudiest, most obnoxious signs along MI Ave.
Please find something to write about that is actually important.
February 14th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
If they banned these signs the city would have to change the sign at the civic center. They aren’t any better. Maybe they should create an ordinance that restricted the colors that can be used during the dark hours. I agree that it’s enough to scare the pants off of you especially when it starts flashing, but I understand why businesses want them. The Civic Center irritates me just as much at times and that one the city controls. If they can’t get it right, then how can they tell others what to do? Well…I guess that’s a silly question now isn’t it?
February 14th, 2011 at 5:07 pm
I have no problem with the signs except their to bright! I have seen alot of these LED signs that are very tastless and some that borderline artwork. No one complained when the street lights were changed to LED why because most people did not notice. I would agree to laws to curtail brightness, size and design but not elimination! You want real savings get rid of the curlyque bulbs and switch everyones homes to LED…..
February 14th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Talking about tasteless and gaudy, can we throw in a ban on bussed-in protestors who march on Dearborn streets for this Mideastern cause and that Mideastern cause while dressed as though they are candidates for that fashion makeover van that snatches pedestrians off streets all over America?
February 14th, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Excellent column, Deep. I agree with this 100%.
February 14th, 2011 at 11:34 pm
So let me understand this. We have tons of vacancies, especially in downtown west Dearborn, east downtown Dearborn vacancies are growing. No one is beating our doors down to open new businesses in Dearborn, buildings hat were to be torn down where new projects would be built are stalled. Downtown west Dearborn generally has more vacancies than any other city around, except perhaps in the ghetto cities and now were going to be worried about neon signs that are proven to attract far more business than other types of signs?
Seems to me that this is NOT the time to be considering banning neon signs.
February 15th, 2011 at 8:52 am
Dearborn should institute a two drink minimum on all bussed in protestors and mandate such protests take place in central business districts so as to give the appearance of a vibrant Michigan Ave
February 15th, 2011 at 9:43 am
Just asking – Off point and just a little prejudice. These people come from countries where they are prosecuted and have family members who are being killed every day.
Feel lucky that we are in a country where people can gather without fear.
February 15th, 2011 at 10:08 am
I think its a silly fight to pick. In this economy where businesses will do anything to draw in business, why take this away? Yeah I agree the big flashing ones at the strip bars on Michigan are a little much, especially to advertise a “gentlemans club”, but the other ones who just have small neon signs on their windows should just be left alone. Thay have to have something to draw in consumers. I have lived in Dearborn almost my whole 32 years, and never have I thought my city looked gaudy or tacky. As long as its clean, safe, and kept up, that is all that matters. Don’t we have bigger things to worry about?! I pride myself on being from here, and I always will!
February 15th, 2011 at 10:15 am
Quite frankly, I could not BELIEVE that tacky Las Vegas strip looking sign they put outside the Performing Arts Center (?) next to the police station. Then Dearborn Heights up and put one outside their new police station on Mich. Ave. with the little animations of the stick figure taking a drink and crashing the car, etc. Very, very tacky.
February 15th, 2011 at 10:19 am
Signage in Dearborn is “off the leash and out of the yard.” Once the City allowed the new signage at that strip bar – and their cringeworthy ads – all bets were off. As pointed out above, now the “respectable citizens” the Henry Ford and the City itself are beautifying the landscape with their garish displays. That’s just great, innit? And boy, if we don’t allow it, some really great business is going to take a pass on redeveloping the West End.
Ever drive down the California coast and notice how there is none of this ugliness marring the ability to enjoy the view? We don’t think enough of our community to make a change – and we get what we deserve.
I’d like to blame the liberals and the main sleeze media.
February 15th, 2011 at 12:39 pm
I like Reality Bites’ proposal.
February 16th, 2011 at 7:41 am
Wow, Deep, I’ve never disagreed with you so much before. Not about the LED signs – they do look tacky, but that’s mostly because the graphic design on the signs seems to be provided by local elementary schools.
But neon signs? That’s just low. I used to live in GPW and was really angered that they ticketed Merit Woods Pharmacy with their classic, classy sign. The neon signs of the Mercury meant a lot to me before it was torn down to make way for a… field. (At least da Vinci has a tank there now…)
I find the architecture of the buildings along Michigan and Telegraph and Ford to be the most objectionable thing, though. All these modern buildings made of plaster of paris, newspaper, and spit with their brick veneer, while the elegant buildings of yesteryear rot and are marked for demolition. That’s a loss of elegance you can’t repair.
Anyway, viva la laissez faire! May the best sign win.
February 16th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
they should start with the bp station pricing lights…has anyone else seen these yet…?…or anything else after you take your eyes off of them…?…what the heck…
February 18th, 2011 at 1:08 am
Everyone in Dearborn is complaining about all the empty buildingz for sale or lease along Michigan Ave. and now the politicos want to ban neon signs. If Dearborn City Hall is paying for them – NO PROBLEM. But NOOOOO. They are going to expect the business owners to pay. IN THIS ECONOMY!!!! Are they NUTS???? or just stupid. Nothing like a few more empty buildings to make our city more attractive. Can you spell D-E-T-R-O-I-T????. Look what their ineffective politics inspired. As you are leaving Dearborn, can you please turn out the lights.
February 19th, 2011 at 10:04 am
This is, no doubt, a complex issue. I would like to make several observations.
I have not found any marketing research that clearly shows that using L.E.D. “animated” signage results in an increase of traffic into an establishment versus using stationary signage. I have had casual conversations with some marketing professionals discussing these signs. None had any opinion one way or the other.
These signs are less expensive, more reliable, more energy efficient, more flexible and require less maintenance than neon or neon tube technology.
In terms of how the signs are being used is another diverse discussion. Flashing signs or lights, of any technology, can be a driving hazard. Unfortunately, all it takes is one party of a traffic accident to claim in a court that a flashing sign distracted the vision of a driver and I think you will see some action to change the usage.
It is very VERY difficult to legislate “taste”. While one person may think all signs are annoying, another may have a 180-degree opinion. Some may think L.E.D. signs are acceptable as long as there is no animation. Business will always side on what is good for increasing business. There has to be a compromise.
There are laws in some Florida communities dictating the size and placement of real estate “for sale” signs. Those signs are 1/8″ the size of the signs used in our city. The law applies to everyone. There no exceptions.
Any discussion for further legislation about business signage in Dearborn, must proceed with hard data, needs of business and desires of citizens, and not inflamed, baseless rhetoric.
February 19th, 2011 at 11:19 am
This is so typical. The city approves BTs and the so-called “gentelmen’s” club and all their nasty behavior but wants to ban their tacky signs. Interesting. Are you serious? Those signs should stay as a reminder to all of the people in Dearborn that these awful places are open for business. And how can some of you compare the Henry Ford and the Performing Arts sign to the gentlemen’s club sign? The sign on Oakman is blinding and that should be addressed. Otherwise, find another cause. How about this? Make the owners of these vacant building on Michigan Avenue clean them up and make them presentable store fronts. Let’s see, Dearborn Jewelers has a thriving business in Plymouth and I know for a fact that they had several opportunities to sell that building a few years back but their greed kept them from doing so. Now we have to look at the broken shutters and filth in the front of that building.
February 19th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
The Sign in front of the Ford Centeer owned by the city is a huge distraction, as well as meny other L.E.D. signs I drive by it every day and It is bright and annoying, More annoying then the White Rinho paw prints the city made the owner remove from the green walls of my favorite bar at Michigan and Williamson. go figure. That being said most existing L.E.D. signs would probably be grandfatthered in, since thay were approved under current codes. It’s either a case of do as I say, not as I do or maybe Alledged tax fruad owner of BT’s had more money to pay off our officials with. Makes you wonder how business is done in our city. Dearborn, standing in the shadows of Detroit. (in more ways than just one.) The Building and Safety Department was changed by tranfering people around to differnt departments and changing its name by blue smoke and mirrors.
February 20th, 2011 at 5:41 pm
Dearborn is a blue collar town and all of you white collar folk that want to make it otherwise need to accept the fact. If you think that you are ever going to have a nice dowtown like Northville, Plymouth, Oxford, or any of the other towns in Michigan that have attractive main streets, think again. Dearborn is dying and that is all there is to it. Dearborn is the next Detroit, bad air quality and all.
March 9th, 2011 at 3:25 pm
I would like to respond to the comment kay says: Feb. 19, 2011 at 11:19am
The property that was previously occupied by Dearborn Jewelers on Michigan Ave. was sold as of May 8, 2006. Dearborn Jewelers has had no ownership of this property since then. Kay’s comment that the building has broken shutters and is filthy should be directed to the owner of that property. Before making a statement like that Kay should check to see who actually owns the property and who is paying the taxes on it, that is public record at City Hall. Kay’s comment about greed was very inappropriate.
October 20th, 2011 at 10:02 am
Love neon! I don’t think you can put animated LED billboards into the same category as neon. Neon is magic, hand-made by local artisans, and adds vibrant and excitement to the community.
August 1st, 2013 at 2:56 am
Neon is a great way to advertise. When you own a business you rely on advertising. Unless you are willing to pay my business and property taxes you should shut up. (With all due respect).